here

Just wanted to say a final "Thanks!" to all area teams who have given their fans enjoyment on Friday nights and something to talk about during the week - especially to the JM Mavs who went above and beyond expectations! It looks like a lot of WV AA teams will return several players next year, so competition should be excellent and expectations high!

Great job, photoguy! We appreciate your work all year long. And, yes, the officiating was bad. I never did understand what the personal foul call was when we stopped them (gang tackle) at mid-field prior to their score. And there were several late hits (and some out of bounds) on our side of the field. Just glad to get out of there with the win and come back to good 'ole Monroe County!

I understand, as posted on another message board, that the team will be doing their pre-game on Mountaineer field - that should be neat for them. I just hope they stay focused and play as well against Weir as they did against Chapmanville - that game was awesome. It seemed from the moment they stepped onto the field that they had come to play "plowboy" football, and indeed they did! I'm hoping for a repeat performance from everyone. Now, safe travels to all, and to our Mercer Co. neighbors, good luck! I hope southern football reigns!

Well, lots of us weren't giving the current group much of a chance either, and I'd say scrapping and fighting our way to the 2nd round of the playoffs says alot about the determination of these guys and, hopefully, that will spill over into the next few years.

Hey photoguy! I think the player in the first pic on the JM Football site is Mitch Boone not Nick Kisiel. (Ignore this post if you have nothing to do with that site. LOL!)

James Monroe played @ Scott this year. As far as I know, we had no problems, although the game was played near the end of September and the field was horrible. It was a dust bowl, so, unless things have changed, and if it were to rain, you may be in the mud. But I don't see the Beavers having any problems if they play their game and stay focused - which I believe they will. Good Luck!

I haven't heard that and like most everyone else on here, I'd hate to see it come to an end. It's a game that definitely gets your blood pumpin' and anything can happen. Here's to a hard fought, injury-free, controversy-free (if that's ever possible) Halloween thriller! Being a Mav fan, I can't wish the Beavers "luck," but I wish them well.

The biggest advantage Scott had when I saw them play JM was the size of their line. They are HUGE. But, as always, Bluefield's speed will be the deal breaker along with a good passing attack. (Several of Scott's turnovers in the JM game were interceptions. Most near the end where, I believe, 3 were thrown right at the same DB for JM.)

Numbers aren't the problem @ JM; I do think Kevin is right, the line is undergoing major rebuilding, and I know after the Wayne game (first of the season) some JM "fans" were telling the players just how awful they were. Some morale builder, huh? Oh well, maybe we can hang tough the rest of the season and see what happens. I agree, GO MAVS!

God Bless you, Mel, and "Let's go you peckerwoods!"

And you're absolutely right about running it in little league. Giles begins with it early on and the kids really learn the ins and outs whereas Peterstown used some single wing formations in little league but mostly other formations and sets and middle school did not use it much if any at all. (Although I believe Union did incorporate it into their little league and middle school.) Giles uses spin series, etc., but I don't believe JM ever got into that - just straight up run.

Gilbert on 8/18 @ 11:00 a.m. @ Gilbert; grid-o-rama @ Midland Trail on Sat., 8/23 - don't know who for sure (maybe Shady and Independence???) and not sure what time.

Updated practice time - 5:00 p.m.

Going in the evening, starting around 6:00, maybe??? I know they coordinate it with fall soccer, etc. because of the activity bus. I understand around 61 were there for equipment hand-out last night.

Have June drills started at most schools and, if so, how was the first day? Many kids out?

[ QUOTE ] So when do June drills start? [/ QUOTE ] Next week @ JMHS; 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. I believe.

[ QUOTE ] I just received this: NEWS FLASH 2009! Princeton replaces Wayne on the James Monroe schedule. [/ QUOTE ] I hope that is NOT TRUE!

[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I feel like it will be Ballengee's job to lose. I have a feeling they could put Robertson in some shotgun formations like they did Ben Thornton and give him the option of run or pass. [/ QUOTE ] That's probably pretty close to what will happen. They did that with Nick Newberry some too. Give you the option to run the spread without being over-dependent on it. The backfield should be fairly deep, barring injuries of course, Robertson, Keisel, and Thompsom SHOULD all get to run it fairly evenly. I'd say Robinson and Ray will be the main wideouts, but I've been wrong before. [/ QUOTE ] I think the main problem will definitely be the line. Worry, worry, worry . . .

Haven't heard who's in the hunt, but I'm thinking maybe Robertson or Ballengee (you know they were in middle school). Any other thoughts?

[ QUOTE ] In addition to what Ed said, in the WVSSAC game contract there is a place for a Forfeit Fee. If there was a dollar amount listed in that place the school failing to fulfill the contract must pay this amount to the other school. For example Burch signed a contract with Montcalm to play a home game in 2007, and an away game in 2008 in boys basketball. Burch then failed to show up in 2008 for the game. When the SSAC was contacted the first question asked by them was Do you have a contract, response YES. Is there a forfeit fee listed, response YES. Amount $1000. Burch was then required to write a check to Montcalm for $1000. In this case the schools might have agreed to no financial penalty if a replacement game could be found so that no party would suffer damages. [/ QUOTE ] Thanks guys. It's interesting to know what can happen.

[ QUOTE ] There is absolutely no forced scheduling in West Virginia as of yet. Summers County could have played 9 games just as easily as Bluefield has had to many times in the past. James Monroe had to agree to play Summers County. [/ QUOTE ] No. But if Summers was supposed to play Pikeview at Summers, and Pikeview erred and dropped Summers, and Summers could find no home game, then Pikeview may have had to bear at least some resposibility for the lost gate at Summers; and, yes, I'm sure JM had to agree to play. I understand it's a 2-yr. deal.

It is my understanding that this game came about after some sort of a recent regional/sectional SSAC meeting where it was discovered, I believe as Ed pointed out, Pikeview had scheduled 11 games. Pikeview dropped Summers, leaving Summers to try to find another game. It is also my understanding that Summers was expected to try and find another game and if they could not, then Summers and JM were to play since they had corresponding open dates. (Summers did not want to play JM and I'm not sure of all the reasons.) Coach Jackson wasn't at that meeting and as far as I know, had nothing to do with it. Now why Graham wasn't sceduled earlier, I don't know. As I've said before, I wish that would become a regular game for JM because I think it would be a good rivalry and gate.

That may be right. I understand one of Summers' opponents had scheduled 11 games and was considering dropping the Summers game so as to have only 10. I understand an opponent had to be found for Summers or there may have been consequences to the school who scheduled in error and it was noted that Summers and JM have corresponding open dates. Summers doesn't want to play JM, and, quite frankly, I don't want us to play Summers on a yearly basis (not both Summers and Pikeview.) But, we'll see.

[ QUOTE ] Witt may have officially retired in January, but I had heard early in the season that he would be retiring after the season was over so I think it's safe to say that he's known for a while he was leaving. The part as to who would take over remained to be seen though. As for Narrows, it typically makes for a good gate game and a school needs at least a couple of those each season. Plus Narrows and JM (the Peterstown part of JM, that is) go way back so there's a rivalry there. In my opinion, though, that series is probably nearing an end. [/ QUOTE ] I believe you're probably right. I can remember those games - hard-hitting, heated contests (not confined just to the field, either. ) But those days seem gone for now and continuing to play Narrows only hurts JM as far as playoffs are concerned. I don't understand why we would not schedule Graham. I don't believe Graham "skeers" us so much that we wouldn't play, considering we play Bluefield, Scott and Wayne. I actually think the Graham game could develop into a really good rivalry, just like Bluefield has for us.

[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] To the few folks at Graham who are accusing JM of being "afraid" to play them, give it a rest. Do you really think we're playing Bluefield every year if we're afraid of Graham, quit flatering yourselves. Plus all that, don't think that Jackson will intentionally schedule weak teams. Anyone who knows anything about the business part of sports know that at the HS level the athletic director has as much and in most cases, more authority in scheduling than the coach, and until this past year, Danny Wickline was the AD over Witt and Jackson, so ironically, Witt will still play a major role with the program, just not the play-calling. [/ QUOTE ] Graham was needing a tenth game for this upcoming season as was/is James Monroe. Both teams had the same date open. Doug Marrs called James Monroe's AD to see if they could work something out. The JM AD said and I quote "I'll have to check with the coach and get back to you." HE NEVER CALLED BACK. Doug even called him back to find out if they would/could play before he began searching for another school to play but the AD "wasn't in" and never returned that call either. THIS IS FACT... [/ QUOTE ] I don't know who would have been considered the coach at that time since Witt had already decided to step down and his replacement hadn't yet been hired. I think, though, that pretty much all of the fans here in Monroe would enjoy a game with Graham. I, for one, wish it would have happened.